Shuttle-check for looms.



No. 656,!8l. Patented Aug. 2|, I900. W. F. DRAPEB.

SHUTTLE CHECK FOB LOOMS.

(Application filed Oct. 24, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shea l.

No. 656, |8l. Patented Aug. 2|, I900.

W. F. DRAPER:

SHUTTLE CHECK FOR LOOMS.

' (Application filed Oct. 24, 1899.) a Sheets$heet z.

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SHUTTLE CHECK FOB LOUIS.

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VILLIAM DRAPER, OF IIO PED ALE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHUTTLE-CHECK FOR l OOlV|S.,-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,181, dated August21, 1900.

Application filed October 24, 1899. Serial No. 734,598. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. DRAPER,

of Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented a new and Improved Shuttle-Check for Looms, of which thefollowing is a specification.

It is important in looms in which the filling or weft is automaticallyreplenished that the shuttle should always occupy substantially the sameplace in the shuttle-box, so that in case fresh filling is to beinserted the spent or exhausted shuttle should be in the proper place inthe shuttle-box, to enable the insertion to be effected. This is truewhether the replenishment of filling is effected by changing theshuttles entire-that is, by ejecting the spent shuttle and inserting afresh shuttle, as in the Northrop United States Patent No. 454,805,dated June 23, 1S91since the ejection of the spent shuttle requiresit'to be properly positioned in the shuttle-box, or whether thereplenishment of filling is effected by substituting a fresh bobbin orcop for the exhausted one in the shuttle, as in the Northrop Patent No.529,940, dated November 27, 1894, since the shuttle must occupy asubstantially-definite position to be enabled to receive the freshbobbin or cop which is thrust into it. Incase of a material variation inposition of the shuttle in a shuttle-changingloom it will not beproperly ejected, while in case of a material variation in the positionof the shuttle in a bobbin-changing or cop-changing loom the freshbobbin or cop may not be inserted so as to be held in the shuttle, sothat the shuttle is not replenishedwith filling, and in some instancesthe bobbin or cop may be broken. It is therefore desirable and importantthat the 100111 be provided with means which shall always insure theshuttle being stopped in the shuttle-boxes in substantially the sameplace each time. To understand what is necessary to be done to securethis result requires a consideration o f the causes which result in theimproper boxing of tl1e shuttlethat is to say, the stoppage of theshuttle at positions other than the properposition in the shuttlebox.Improper boxing of the shuttle is due in the vast majority of instancesto ununiform picking. If a uniformly-effective pick could always besecured,uniform boxing might in'the speed of the loom and to thecircumstance that the pickers are necessarily connected to theirdriving-cams through loose connections, which involve a large amount oflost motion. In addition to ununiform picking irregularity in theadjustment of the binders acts in the same direction, since a variationin the resistance which the shuttle encounters in boxing is thusproduced, which has the same effect in this regard as variation in theforce of the blow imparted by the picker to the shuttle due toirregularityin the pick. Variations in the shuttles employed (suchvariations being inevitable) also produce the same result in the sameWay, since such variations vary the resistance which the shuttleencounters in boxing, a'wide shuttle boxing harder than a narrow one,and aheavy shuttle having greater momentum than a light one. Thesevariations in shuttles are important factors in the case ofshuttle-changing looms. Change in the weather also materially affectsthe running of a loom, because shuttles are swelled by dampness. All ofthese modifying factors, however, as just stated, have the same effectin producing improper boxing as does irregular or ununiform picking.Irregular picking, to whatever cause it may be due, results in variationin the force of the blow which is delivered to the shuttle, andconsequently the effect of varying speed of theloom upon the boxing ofthe shuttle is a substantiallytrue indication of what results fromirregular or ununiform picking and variations in binder adjustment andin shuttles.- I-have for the purpose of determiningthe effect of varyingspeeds. of the loom conducted an elaborate series of experiments, usingselfregistering devices on the loom to unmistakably indicate the result.As the result of such experimentation I find that the slower the loom.runs the quicker relatively tothe'movement of the lay will the shuttlearrive at the shuttle-box, and that as the speed of the'loom isincreased the shuttle arrives relatively later and later. In allfast-running cottonlooms the shuttle is picked while the lay is movingbackwardt'. 0., away from the fell of the cloth the picking movementcommencing ordinarily when the lay is about half-wayback. The shuttle,therefore, makes its excursion across the lay while the lay iscompleting the rest of its backward movement and is again startingforward. hen the loom is run slowly, the shuttle will arrive in theshuttlebox to which it is picked just after the lay has started forward,and as the speed of the loom is increased the lay will have movedfarther and farther forward before the shuttle is boxed. Theseexperiments demonstrate that, although as the speed of the loomincreases both the lay and the shuttle travel faster and faster, thespeed of the lay increases relatively faster than does the speed of theshuttle. I attribute this result largely to the circumstance that thelay is directly and positively driven, while the pickers are driventhrough loose connections, although other factors also apparenly act inthe same direction. One feature of the present invention is based uponthis investigation and consists in devices which automatically increasethe binder-pressure during the shuttle-boxing period-that is to say, asthe lay moves forward from its rear position. (I speak of the lay movingforward to indicate its movement toward the fell of the cloth.)Consequently the laterarriving shuttle, which has greater momentum,encounters greater resistance in entering the shuttle-box, andconsequently is prevented from rebounding, while a slower but earlierarriving shuttle having less momentum encounters less resistance. Inthis way the binder-pressure is made to vary to correspond with thevarying momenta of the shuttle, and consequently the shuttle is stoppeduniformly in a substantially-definite place in the shuttle-box.

It is desirable that the pressure of the binder of each shuttle-boxshould be independently controllable, since the two boxes cannot be madeor maintained exactly alike, and I therefore employ independentpressureproducers for both binders and vary the force of each pressuredevice independently. I accordingly do not utilize the spring which isused to operate the usual warp-protectin g device carried by the lay toproduce the desired varying pressure upon the binders. This enables meto employ a light spring on the warpprotector, which has simply to doits own proper work without reference to the sh uttlecheck. This lightspring to be used on the warp-protector is of further advantage, sinceit permits the binder to respond quickly to the blow of the homingshuttle and the liability of unnecessarily knocking off the loom isavoided. I therefore have a warpprotector spring which exerts asubstantially constant and uniform but light pressure on the shuttleswhen boxed, and the force of which is not varied by any device providedto check the shuttle, and in addition thereto have an independentpressure-producer for each binder, the force of which is varied in themanner already stated. This enables me to relieve the pressure on thebinders due to the special pressureproducers at certain points in thecycle of the lays operation for desirable purposes.

I especially design to use the present improvements in connection with abobbin or cop changing loom similar to that shown in the Northrop PatentNo. 529,940, dated November 27, 1894, (already referred to,) and in suchlooms it is desirable that the shuttle should be movable withcomparative freedom in the shuttle-box when the transfer of a freshbobbin or cop is made. In these bobbin or cop changing looms as now usedthe transfer is made when the lay is at-or near the forward limit of itsstroke. I accordingly relieve the shuttle-binders (particularly that atthe feed end of the lay) from the pressure of the specialpressure-producers just before the lay reaches the transferringposition, so that when the transfer is made the shuttle is only underthe slight pressure due to the warp-protector spring. This is important,since the shuttle is then readily susceptible of a slight endwisemovement as the fresh bobbin or cop is being inserted, so that theshuttle can accommodate itself for the proper reception of the freshbobbin. This is of especial advantage, since such looms are usuallyequipped with shuttles having bobbin or cop receiving jaws such as areshown in the Northrop United States Patent No. 454,811, dated June 23,1891, which are adapted to receive bobbins or cops such as are shown inthe same patent. This facility for movement of the shuttle during thetransferring operation to accommodate itself to the bobbin or cop avoidsbreakage of bobbins while being inserted to a notable degree. Thepressure due to the special-pressure producers being thus relieved forthis purpose it is advantageous to leave them inactive during the backstroke of the lay and not to bring them again into action until the laystarts forward again. As a result, the only pressure on the bindersduring the picking is that due to the light warp-protector spring, sothat an easy pick results. The warp-protector spring gives just enoughpressure on the binders during the picking to insure the proper guidingof the shuttle during the pick. The present improvements as a wholetherefore provide a spring unadjustable during the running of the loom,which gives a substantially constant and uniform but light pressure uponthe shuttle when boxed and which also acts as a warp-protector spring,making the warp-protector sensitive and prompt; independentpressure-producers for the binders of both shuttle-boxes, which are outof action during the transfer of the bobbin or cop in a filling-changingloom employing a single shuttle and during the pick, so that the shuttleis freely movable endwise during the transfer, and there is a lightpick, and these independent pressure-producers are brought into actionafter the lay starts forchecking force to the binders. In accordancewith the present improvements, however, the protector-spring is light,having just sufficient force to properly operate the protectorrod andthe parts carried by it and to place a substantially constant anduniform but light pressure upon the shuttle when boxed. This pressure isonly what is necessary to hold the binders in place against the wall ofthe shuttle, so that the shuttle will be properly guided when picked. Bythus placing upon the spring only its protecting office it is renderedlight and sensitive, so that it permits the shuttle when boxing to raisethe dagger promptly and with certainty, thus preventing unnecessaryknocking off and stopping of the loom. This is of especial importance,since when the loom runs very rapidly the homing shuttle arrives so latein the shuttle-box that where the tension of the protector-spring isutilized to check the shuttle the dagger often fails to be lifted intime to clear the frog, and consequently there is an unnecessarystoppage of the loom. By having a light protector-spring, however, thefirst encounter of the homing shuttle upon the binder as it enters thebox sulfices to throw the dagger clear up out of the way almostinstantaneously. Preferably the warpprotector spring is secured in placeso that its pressure cannot be varied by the loomfixers, and there is nomeans on the loom for varying or adjusting it when the loom is running.It remains a constant factor.

The shuttle-checking pressure upon the binders ,is due topressure-producers which are independent of the warp-protector springand preferably independent of each other. As heretofore stated, eachpressure-producer is brought into action just after the lay starts onits forward stroke and its force is gradually increased during theshuttle-boxing period. The force of the pressure-producer is withdrawnfrom the binder before the lay reaches the limit of its forward stroke,so that in case a change of bobbins is called the transfer is made withonly the slight pressure of the warp-protector spring upon the shuttleat the feed or battery end of the lay, and the force of thepressure-producer remains off during the entire backward stroke of thelay, so that the pick is effected with only the slight protector-springpressure on the shuttle. The mechanism effecting this action of thepressure-producers is the same at both ends of the loom, and hence adescription of one mechanism will suffice for both.

The pressure-producer is preferably a coilspring 9 (see Figs. 2 and 8)and is attached at one end to a finger 10, which is adapted andconstructed to bear against the binder 8, and at its other end it isattached to a camfollower 11. The cam-follower 11 is shown as a leverhaving a sleeve 12, (see Fig. 8,) which turns about a suitable stud 13,carried by the lay, this stud serving conveniently also as the pivot forthe connection between the lay and the lay-pitman 14. (see Fig. 1) atthat end of the lay. The checking-finger 10 turns conveniently upon saidsleeve 12, and the pressure-producer or shuttle-checking spring 9 iscoiled around the hubs of the finger 10 and cam-follower 11. Thecam-follower 11 extends rearwardly, and at its rear end it carries asuitable stud or bowl 15, which cooperates with a suitable fixed cam 16,which imparts the desired variation in pressure to the shuttle-checkingspring 9. When the lay is at its rearmost position, (see Fig. 4,) thecam-follower stud 15 rests upon a stationary shelf 17, against which itis held by the spring 9 back of and below the lowest point of the cam16. When in this position, the checking-finger 10 does not come incontact at all with the binder, since it is held back out of the way bya stop 18 on the sleeve 12, (see Fig. 7,) which encounters it and holdsit against the force of spring 9, and consequently there is then nopressure on the binder except 'that due to the'lightwarp-protectorspring.

As the lay moves forward the cam-follower encounters and rides up thecam 16, thus rocking sleeve 12, moving stop 18 away from thechecking-finger 10, and bringing said checking-finger to bear upon thebinder and gradually increase the pressure, as shown in Fig. 5. It willbe noted that the lifting of the cam-followerincreases the tension ofthe shuttle-checkin g spring, and therefore gives an increasing pressureupon the binder until the highest point of the cam 16 is reached. Theelevation of the cam-follower by the cam takes place (1 uring what Iterm the shuttle-boxing period of the lays forward movement, becauseduring this period the shuttle will always arrive in the shuttle-boxwithin any probable range of speed of the shuttle which can occur. Ifthe shuttle arrives as early as possible, it may reach the binder beforethe follower reaches the cam 16; but before the shuttle is entirelyboxed the pressure of the shuttle checking spring 9 is brought into playwith sufficient force to prevent any detrimental rebound of the shuttle.As the shuttle arrives later in the box, it encounters greater andgreater resistance, the cam 16 being so proportioned and of such shapethat this pressure corresponds with the increasing momentum of theshuttle, and the cam is so arranged and shaped that thegreatest'pressure is applied at the very end of the boxing period-thatis to say, at that period when the most tardilyarriving shuttle reachesthe box. As a result the pressure on the shuttle corresponds with themomentum of the shuttle, and consequently it is stopped in substantiallythe same position irrespective of variable condiward,and theireffectiveness may be increased during the shuttle receiving or boxingperiod of the forward stroke of the lay, so that when the arrivingshuttle travels quicker it meets with a greater resistance. The shuttle-receiving or shuttle-boxing period here referred to occurs duringthat portion of the forward stroke of the lay in which the homingshuttle may be received in the receiving-box, and during this period theforce of the shuttlechecking-pressure producer is applied and increased.

In the ordinary binder and warp-protector arrangement when the shuttleenters the box the binder and warp-protector are suddenly actuated bythe sharp quick blow due to the shuttles entrance, and as a result areoverthrown or moved beyond the position at which the binder contactswith the shuttle, so that the shuttle is substantially free fromretarding friction for an appreciable period until the warp-protectorspring recovers itself and restores the binder to its place, and thisperiod gives opportunity for the shuttle to rebound before beingchecked. This opportunity for rebound is obviated by the presentimprovements, which separate the shuttlechecking-pressure producer fromthe warpprotector. In the present invention the binder in its outwardoverthrow under the impact of the entering shuttle meets thethen-appreaching pressure-producer, so that the outward movement of thebinder is eifectively checked while the motion of the warp-protectorcontinues, and it is instantly restored into contact with the stillentering shuttle, thuspreventinganydisplacing rebound. Theshuttle-checking-pressure producer, it will be noted, has only toovercome the inertia of the binder and not of the entire warp-protector,so that the outward throw of the binder is insufficient to appreciablymodify the action of the pressure-producer.

\Vhile the present improvements have their greatest utility in automaticfilling-changing looms, particularly those which insert fresh bobbins orcops in a single working shuttle, nevertheless they are useful inordinary looms, since they obviate the trapping of the shuttle in theshed, due to irregular picking, to a very large degree, and they alsoobviate to a great extent the adjustmentof the binders, otherwiserendered necessary by the employment of shuttles of varying widths andweights and by diiferences in the speeds of the loom.

For the purpose of illustrating the present improvements I have in theaccompanying drawings shown them as applied to a fillingehanging loom,where fresh bobbins or cops are automatically inserted into the workingshuttle.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical crosssection of a portion of theloom, showing one of the pressure-producers. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofone end of the loom. Fig. 3 shows the end of the loom opposite to thatshown in Figs. 1 and 2 and shows aportion of the feed end of the loom.Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the position of one of thepressure-producers when the lay is all the way back. Fig. 5 is a similardiagram showing the lay part way forward. Fig. 6 is a similar diagramshowing the lay all the way forward. Fig. 7 is a detail View of one ofthe pressure-producers, showing the opposite side of the parts to thatshown in Figs. 4:, 5, and 6. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section throughthe axis of one of the pres sure-producers. Fig. 9 is a plan View of therear end of one of the pressure-producers and of the actuating-cam.

The illustrations only show sufficient of the loom to enable thepresentimprovements and their relations to the other portions of theloom to be understood. The illustratedloom has the same generalconstruction and mode of operation as the bobbin or cop changing loom ofthe Northrop patent, No. 529,940, (above referred to,) and includes theusual lay l and the usual rotary hopper or battery 2, (see Fig. 3,)containing a plurality of filled bobbins or cops, which are transferredone by one to the working shuttle when the fillingin said shuttlerequires replenishment. The mechanism for elfecting this change is nowso well known as to require no specific illustration or descriptionbeyond the statement that in such looms as now used the transfer takesplace when the layis at or near thelimit of the forward movement.

The lay, as usual, has shuttle-boxes, one at each end, and theshuttle-boxes are or may be oftheusualconstruction. Bothshuttle-boxesare substantially alike, and hence reference to one suflices for both.

Each shuttle-box has, as usual, a binder3, which is arranged to contactwith the shuttle when in the box. In the drawings the binder is shown asa rear binder at the back of the shuttle-box, this being a commonlocation for the binder.

Extending beneath the lay is the usual warp-protector rod 4, (see Fig.1,) which constitutes part of the ordinary warp-protector mechanism.This protectorrod, as usual, rocks in suitable bearings carried by thelay and has the usual dagger 5, which cooperates in the usual mannerwith the frog 6 to effect the stoppage of the loom in the case of thetrapping of the shuttle. Also, as is usual, the protector-rod has at ornear each end an upwardly-projecting finger 7, which bears against therear of one of the binders The fingers 7 are kept against theircorresponding binders by the usual spring 8, connected with theprotector-rod 4: in the usual manner, so as to cause said rod to rotatein the direction which lowers the point of the dagger 5 to bring thesame in line with the frog (5. \Vhen the shuttle fails to box, thedagger remains down, and consequently hits the frog and stops the loom.When, however, the shuttle is boxed, it presses back the binder, thuspressing back one of the lingers 7 and actions which may exist. Theshuttle having been properly boxed and brought to a standstill at thedetermined position, the office of the pressure-producer orshuttle-checking spring has been completed and its pressure is no longernecessary. Accordingly the cam 16 terminates at its upper and forwardend, so as to permit the cam-follower to pass in front and beyond itbefore the lay reaches its forward limit. As soon as the cam-followerthus passes beyond the cam the shu ttle-checking spring throws the cam-follower down, thus taking the shuttle-checking pressure entirely fromthe binder, since the stop 18 en counters finger 10 and moves it backaway from the binder, when the cam-follower drops down. Fig. 6 shows theposition of the pressure-producer when the lay is at or near the forwardlimit of its motion. The downward throw of the cam-follower can belimited by any suitable stop, such as a projection 19 on thecam-follower encountering one of the layswords. (See Fig. 1.)' Since thepressure is thus reduced before the lay reaches the limit of its forwardstroke, it follows that if a transfer of bobbins is then made theshuttle will be free to be moved lengthwise within the shuttle-box atthe battery end of the lay, thus facilitating the proper entrance of afresh bobbin, this resulting in the avoidance of the breaking of bobbinsand their misthreading. The cam-follower remains .in its lowermostposition, with the shuttle-checking spring out of action, during theentire back stroke of the lay, so that the shuttle is picked with onlythe light pressure on it due to the warp-protecting spring, which, asabove stated, is only just sufficient to properly guide the shuttleduring pickin During the back stroke of the lay the free end of thecam-follower preferably rides on the shelf or ledge 17, passing beneaththe cam 16. The lower end 20 of the cam 16 is pivotally connected withthe body of the cam and is held down by a spring 21. This spring,however, yields and allows the lower pivoted end of the cam to rise asthe cam-follower stud 15 passes beneath it. Since the shuttle-checkingsprings are thus operated by cam-followers which are carried by the lay,the pressure-producers or shuttlechecking springs of both binders atopposite ends of the lay are operated at each reciprocation of the lay.Each binder, however, is operated only at every other reciprocation ofthe lay, and it is hence obvious that it would suffice if eachshuttle-checking spring were operated only at every alternatereciprocation of the lay. It is convenient, however, to mount the camfollowers on the lay as a matter of construction. Hence this arrangementis shown.

This invention is not limited to the specific mechanism shown. a

I claim as my invention- 1. A loom having, in combination, a lay, ashuttle-box, a binder, a warp-protector, a spring the force of which issubstantially conshuttle-box, a binder, a warp-protector having a springthe force of which is substantially constant upon the shuttle when boxedso that it is then subject to light pressure, a shuttle checkingpressure producer which cooperates with the binder during theshuttle-boxin g period and the force of which is increased during saidperiod, and means for automatically varying the force of saidpressure-producer, substantially as set forth.

3. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, a binder, awarp-protector, a spring which applies a substantially constant anduniform but light pressure on the shuttle when boxed,a.shuttle-checking-pressure producer for said binder which isindependent of the warp-protector, which is brought into action afterthe lay starts onits forward movement, the force of which is graduallyincreased during the boxing period of the lays forward motion, and whichis taken off during the picking period of the lays backward motion, andmeans for automatically operating said pressure-producer to apply,gradually increase and take off its pressure, substantially as setforth.

at. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, a binder, awarp-protector having a spring which applies a substantially constantand uniform but light pressure on the shuttle when boxed, ashuttle-checking pressure producer for said binder which is brought intoaction after the lay starts on its forward movement, the force of whichis gradually increased during the boxing period of the lays forwardmotion, and which is taken off during the picking period of the laysbackward motion, and means for automatically operating saidpressure-producer to apply, gradually increase and take off itspressure, substantially as set forth.

5. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, means forautomatically inserting a fresh bobbin or cop in the shuttle, a binder,a shuttle-checking-pressure producer acting upon said binder toapplypressure to V the shuttle, and means for automatically relieving saidpressure on the binder while the fresh bobbin or cop is inserted,substantially as set forth.

6. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, means forautomatically inserting a fresh bobbin or cop in the shuttle when thelay is at or near the forward limit of its movement, a binder, ashuttle-checking-pressure producer acting upon said binder to applypressure to the shuttle, and means for automatically relieving saidpressure on the binder during the forward stroke of the lay and beforethe lay reaches the position where the fresh bobbin or cop is inserted,substantially as set forth.

'7. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, a binder, meansfor automatically inserting a fresh bobbin or cop in the working shuttlewhen the lay is at or near the forward limit of its movement, aWarpprotector having a spring which applies a substantially constant anduniform but light pressure to the shuttle, an independentshuttlechecking-pressure producer also acting on said binder, and insuch a manner as to apply a gradually-increasing pressure during theboxing period of the lays forward movement and'to be taken off beforethe lay is at its position where the insertion of the bobbin or cop isefiected, and to remain off during the picking period of the laysbackward stroke, and means for automatically operating saidpressure-producer to apply, gradually increase and take off itspressure, substantially as set forth.

8. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, a binder, awarp-protector which is actuated when the shuttle enters the box, ashuttle-checking-pressure producer independent of the warp-protectorwhich is actuated to apply pressure to the binder after the lay hasstarted on its forward stroke, and means for automatically actuatingsaid pressure-producer, substantially as set forth.

9. A loom having, in combination, a lay, a shuttle-box, a binder, awarp-protector which is actuated when the shuttle enters the box, ashuttle-checking-pressure producer independent of the warp-protector theforce of which is increased during the shuttle-boxing period, and meansfor automatically increasing the force of said pressure-producer,substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM F. DRAPER.

\Vitnesses:

E. D. BANCROFT, ARTHUR S. BRowNn.

